Some fab suggestions for how to prepare for the new ‘Fab Four’ film

Ed Symkus More Content Now

Monday

Jun 10, 2019 at 2:08 PMJun 10, 2019 at 2:08 PM

There’s always cause for celebration when a new film is released that either stars, is about, or just has something to with The Beatles. The band broke up almost 50 years ago, but most of their music remains fresh and timeless, each Beatle is instantly recognizable, those of a certain age have vivid, detailed memories of seeing them on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and many of us still listen to them regularly.

Even though they had already hit the Top 10 eight times, and were firmly established as the biggest pop group in the world by mid-1964, they got even bigger when, that summer, “A Hard Day’s Night” hit the screens. It opened with the title song’s distinctive, chiming Fadd9 chord, strummed as the lads are running down a London sidewalk, trying to evade a crazed pack of girls, with George comically falling flat on his face. The film was a major hit. Though others followed, but never quite reached the creative or commercial heights of that first one, Beatles-related films have kept coming over the years.

The latest, opening on June 28, titled “Yesterday,” has more to do with the music than the group that made it. It’s a “what if” fantasy, as in what if The Beatles and their music were erased from the minds of everyone in the world, except for one struggling singer-songwriter who knows every word and note of it, and finds that he can claim he composed all of those songs? Written by Richard Curtis (“Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Love Actually”) and directed by Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting,” “Slumdog Millionaire”), it’s a charming fantasy film that’s geared to both hardcore and casual Beatles fans.

For anyone wanting to get into the right mindset, here are some suggestions of films to watch or re-watch over the next couple of weeks. They’re all likely available at your local library.

“A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) - It’s in black and white, and there’s no plot to speak of. Rather, it’s a quasi-documentary-style (fictional) look into what it might have been like to be a Beatle as they were exploding onto the scene. John, Paul, George, and Ringo are naturals, displaying great humor and hipness as they elude fans, deal with the press, and try to get Ringo to the show on time. Every song is a classic.

“Help!” (1965) - Ringo’s in even more trouble this time, as the big red ring he’s wearing (and can’t get off) makes him a candidate for some strange, unnamed country’s ritual sacrifice. There are some genuinely funny and inventive moments (and it’s in color!), but the constant attempts to keep things going at a madcap pace eventually work against it. Every song, once again, is a classic.

“Magical Myster Tour” (1967) - With even less plot than “A Hard Day’s Night,” this was a vanity project that follows the lads, and an oddball assortment of fellow passengers, on a bus ride to nowhere. The Beatles also play the parts of some magicians who live above the clouds, which is supposed to add to the film’s attempts to be psychedelic. John also appears as a waiter in a restaurant that specializes in spaghetti. There are a few terrific songs, along with some filler.

“Yellow Submarine” (1968) - More psychedelia, done up in cheesy but pleasant and extremely colorful animation. Four characters named John, Paul, George, and Ringo are voiced by other actors (though the genuine items do appear at the end). The plot involves music-hating Blue Meanies attempting to take over and destroy the gentle village of Pepperland. A good deal of this is surrealistic nonsense, but it’s the best Beatles film for very young viewers. More solid music, more filler.

“Let It Be” (1970) - Some fans find this documentary a bit tough to watch, as along with a peek at the band’s creative process, it contains uncomfortable moments of dissension between them - notably between Paul and George. But it culminates with their final live performance - you know, up on the roof - and that part of the film is thrilling. Every song is a classic.

“The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years” (2016) - Ron Howard’s documentary sticks with the period between 1963 and 1966, when the band was in a constant whirlwind of airports, hotels, and stages around the world, with their only breaks from the travel being taken up by time in the studio so they could make more records and hit the road again. It features some amazing concert scenes and proves what a great live band they were. Yes, every song is a classic.Ed Symkus writes about movies for More Content Now. He can be reached at esymkus@rcn.com.